Thales Alenia Space has signed a contract with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Ltd., acting through its Systems Missiles and Space Group, MBT Space Division, to supply RF communication assemblies for the Amos-4 communication satellite. IAI, the prime contractor of Amos-4, is building the satellite for Israeli satellite operator Spacecom Ltd.

This contract further strengthens Thales Alenia Space’s long-time successful partnership with IAI, which has been cemented during the successful completion of the Amos-1, Amos-2 and Amos-3 satellites in recent years. Slated for launch in 2012, the satellite will expand the operator's range of Ku-band and Ka-band capacity to provide high-quality communications and broadcasting transmission services in Israel and internationally.

The satellite's weight at launch will be approximately 3.4 tons and the payload power about 4.0 kW. It will be launched into a geostationary transfer orbit, to an orbital location different from the Amos-1, 2 and 3 satellites. Amos-4 will be located between 64°E and 76°E, in a manner that will allow for the provision of services to a wider array of customers, in a higher quality and wider areas of coverage, including Asia.